Sandoval, Luis Alejandro;
Leal‐Flórez, Jenny;
Blanco‐Libreros, Juan Felipe;
Mancera‐Pineda, José Ernesto;
Delgado‐Huertas, Antonio;
Polo‐Silva, Carlos Julio
Stable‐isotope analysis reveals sources of organic matter and ontogenic feeding shifts of a mangrove‐dependent predator species, New Granada sea catfish, Ariopsis canteri
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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
Stable‐isotope analysis reveals sources of organic matter and ontogenic feeding shifts of a mangrove‐dependent predator species, New Granada sea catfish, Ariopsis canteri
Contributor:
Sandoval, Luis Alejandro;
Leal‐Flórez, Jenny;
Blanco‐Libreros, Juan Felipe;
Mancera‐Pineda, José Ernesto;
Delgado‐Huertas, Antonio;
Polo‐Silva, Carlos Julio
Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>To gain a better understanding on the trophic ecology of New Granada sea catfish, <jats:italic>Ariopsis canteri</jats:italic>, and their linkage to mangroves, nitrogen and stable carbon isotopes (δ<jats:sup>15</jats:sup>N and δ<jats:sup>13</jats:sup>C), as well as Bayesian mixing models, were used to explore trophic dynamics and potential ontogenic feeding shifts across different size classes: class I (8–20 cm), class II (21–32 cm) and class III (>32 cm). The study area was the estuary of the Atrato River Delta, where information about fish ecology is scarce. The δ<jats:sup>13</jats:sup>C of size class I was lower (mean ± <jats:sc>s.d</jats:sc>. = −24.96 ± 0.69‰) than that of size classes II (−22.20 ± 0.90‰) and III (−22.00 ± 1.96‰). The δ<jats:sup>15</jats:sup>N of size class I was lower (mean ± <jats:sc>s.d</jats:sc>. = 8.50 ± 0.67‰) than that of size classes II (9.77 ± 0.60‰) and III (10.00 ± 0.66‰). Body size was positively and significantly correlated to δ<jats:sup>15</jats:sup>N and δ<jats:sup>13</jats:sup>C. Individuals with <jats:italic>L</jats:italic><jats:sub>T</jats:sub> > 32 cm presented the highest estimated trophic position (3.8). Five‐source mixing models indicated that for class I, the mean estimated contribution of macroalgae was the highest (6%–57% <jats:sc>c.i.</jats:sc>), and for classes II and III, the mean estimated contribution of macrophytes was the highest (3%–53% <jats:sc>c.i.</jats:sc> and 4%–53% <jats:sc>c.i.</jats:sc>, respectively). Ontogenetic feeding shifts of <jats:italic>A. canteri</jats:italic> were confirmed evidencing decreasing intraspecific competition between small and large individuals. Results suggest that mangroves are a nursery and feeding ground habitat for this species and that mangroves support <jats:italic>A. canteri</jats:italic> mainly due to the substrate/habitat that supports sources in the food webs. These results can be used in ecosystem‐based fishery management focused on the protection of extensive mangrove areas in the southern Caribbean Sea.</jats:p>